Using Promotoras to improve access to behavioral health services

Washington County, Oregon has the second largest population in the state and the largest and fastest growing Latino population in the state. The Latino population comprises more than 14% of the county's total population. Latinos have historically been underserved in the publicly funded mental health system and other social services in the county. The Promotora Project, is a two year old initiative started in the county to increase access to mental health and other social services. Promotoras are bilingual, bicultural paraprofessional staff in a community mental health agency setting. They offer linguistically and culturally specific service through community outreach to Latino families, and through home visits, parenting and community based family support to identify and reduce barriers to access and to facilitate utilization of mental health and other social services by high risk families. Initial developmental funding came from a State Incentive Grant , and the project experienced early success in increasing the number of Latino families who engage in mental health treatment. The Promotora Project has since been expanded county-wide, serving families with children birth to age 18. The project is currently involved in an effort to evaluate key features of the approach, including: the use of mental health Promotoras, parent education, and staff training and development. This poster will describe the Promotora Project's approach, as well the evaluation framework being used to assess project impact.